Discord
Staff Software Engineer, Data Platform
Job Description
Discord is used by over 200 million people every month for many different reasons, but there’s one thing that nearly everyone does on our platform: play video games. Over 90% of our users play games, spending a combined 1.5 billion hours playing thousands of unique titles on Discord each month. Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming. We are focused on making it easier and more fun for people to talk and hang out before, during, and after playing games.
We are seeking an accomplished and experienced Senior Staff Software Engineer to join our dynamic team. As a leader and the most senior individual contributor of the Data Platform team, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining our data infrastructure and services. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including data engineers, data scientists, software engineers, and product managers, to deliver modern and bleeding-edge solutions that drive business insights and innovation. This role reports to our Director of Engineering, Data Platform.
To learn more about Discord’s Data Platform, read our engineering blog — including how we built our modern data stack leveraging open-source tools!
What You'll Be Doing
- Define and execute the technical vision for Discord's data platform, enabling scalable, reliable, and performant data systems.
- Design, implement, and optimize data infrastructure to process and analyze petabytes of data across millions of users.
- Develop innovative data architectures to support analytics, machine learning, and operational insights.
- Build monitoring, logging, and alerting systems to ensure the health and performance of data services.
- Partner with data scientists, data engineers, product managers, and leadership to align technical solutions with business goals.
- Promote and drive best practices in data governance, security, and compliance across the organization.
- Provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and emerging technologies in data platform.
What You Should Have
- 8+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on large-scale distributed systems or data infrastructure.
- Expertise in building and maintaining scalable data platforms, including data ingestion pipelines, stream processing, and batch processing systems.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, Rust, or similar.
- Proficiency with open source data projects and experience working with open source communities.
- Hands-on experience with modern data technologies such as Kafka, Spark, Flink, Airflow/Dagster, or similar.
- Deep understanding of database systems (e.g., SQL, NoSQL, columnar storage) and data modeling principles.
- Strong knowledge of cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP, or Azure), containerization tools (Docker, Kubernetes), and microservices architecture.
- Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence across teams and levels.
- Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Bonus Points
- A strong passion for Discord and gaming.
- Open source contributions to data-related projects.
#LI-Remote
The US base salary range for this full-time position is $304,000 to $342,000+ equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role and level. Within the range, individual pay is determined by additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include equity, or benefits.
Why Discord?
Discord plays a uniquely important role in the future of gaming. We're a multiplatform, multigenerational and multiplayer platform that helps people deepen their friendships around games and shared interests. We believe games give us a way to have fun with our favorite people, whether listening to music together or grinding in competitive matches for diamond rank. Join us in our mission! Your future is just a click away!
Please see our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Policy for details regarding Discord’s collection and usage of personal information relating to the application and recruitment process by clicking HERE.
Discord
Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.
See more jobsSafe Remote Job Search Tips
Verify Employer Thoroughly
Research the company's identity thoroughly before applying. Check for a professional website with contacts, active social media, and LinkedIn profiles. Verify details across platforms and look for reviews on Glassdoor or Trustpilot to confirm legitimacy.
Never Pay to Get a Job
Legitimate employers never require payment for applications, training, background checks, or equipment. Always reject upfront payment requests or demands for bank details, even if they claim it's for purchasing necessary work gear on your behalf.
Safeguard Your Personal Information
Protect sensitive data like SSN, bank details, or ID copies. Share this only after accepting a formal, written job offer. Ensure it's submitted via a secure company system or portal, never through insecure channels like standard email attachments.
Scrutinize Communication & Interviews
Watch for communication red flags: poor grammar, generic emails (@gmail), vague details, or undue pressure. Be highly suspicious of interviews held only via text or chat apps; legitimate companies typically use video or phone calls.
Beware of Unrealistic Offers
If an offer's salary or benefits seem unrealistically high for the work involved, be cautious. Research standard pay for similar roles. Offers that appear 'too good to be true' are often scams designed to lure you into providing information or payment.
Insist on a Formal Contract
Always secure and review a formal, written job offer or employment contract before starting work or sharing final personal details. Ensure it clearly defines your role, compensation, key terms, and conditions to avoid misunderstandings or scams.